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Hawks

Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans

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When the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team opens its season this week, the Jaguars will have some new faces in their lineup. Centennial graduated five state qualifiers from last year's team, including four-time qualifier Jackson Helmkamp and fellow two-time placewinner Carter Cahill. The Jaguars tied for 16th place in Class 3A with 34 points. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans

‘We know who our kids are’: Ankeny wrestlers enter season with high hopes

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A year ago, the Ankeny wrestling team qualified for the Class 3A state duals tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools. Now, the Hawks would like to do it again. This year's state duals tournament has been moved to Feb. 4--the week before the district tournament. It will be held at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. "I am very … [Read more...] about ‘We know who our kids are’: Ankeny wrestlers enter season with high hopes

Hawk swimmers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invite

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A strong field provided a good opening test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team as the Hawks hosted the Ankeny Sprint Invitational on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Waukee, the two-time defending state champion, easily won the meet with 453.5 points. Valley, last year's third-place finisher at state, took second with 379 points. Ankeny placed … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invite

Hawkettes place 4 players in double figures, romp past Cedar Falls in opener

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team took a long bus ride to Cedar Falls for its season opener on Tuesday. At least the ride home was a joyous one. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes took control from the start and went on to post a 60-43 victory in the non-conference game. "We're still a young team, even though we return a lot of experience," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 4 players in double figures, romp past Cedar Falls in opener

Six Ankeny players, Centennial’s Miller earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Ankeny football stars JJ Kohl, Joe Kingston and Jamison Patton have been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. The trio led the Hawks to a 9-2 record this season. They were all second-team picks a year ago, when … [Read more...] about Six Ankeny players, Centennial’s Miller earn all-state honors from IPSWA

Kohl, Miller, Targgart named to all-district first team for 2nd straight year

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams each had 18 players receive all-district honors, including seven first-team picks and seven second-team selections. Ankeny senior JJ Kohl was named to the first team for the second year in a row. Centennial seniors Brody Targgart and Easton Miller were also repeat first-team picks. Kohl, a quarterback, … [Read more...] about Kohl, Miller, Targgart named to all-district first team for 2nd straight year

Despite loss of key players, Ankeny boys ‘believe in the tradition of our program’

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The depth on the Ankeny boys' basketball team has taken a severe hit before the season has even tipped off. The Hawks have lost four varsity-level competitors in JJ Kohl, Alex Aguirre, Karson Wehde and Joel Mpore to either injury or early college enrollment, according to Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "Although not ideal, I believe in the tradition of … [Read more...] about Despite loss of key players, Ankeny boys ‘believe in the tradition of our program’

‘We had some great results’: Ankeny girls notch 26 pins at Independence tourney

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Saturday's Independence tournament turned into a pinning extravaganza for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. Ankeny posted a 28-13 record in the scramble, recording falls in 26 of its 28 victories. "We had some great results," said Ankeny coach Dustin Roland. "Our girls just continue to work on the things that we've been trying to clean up from before. … [Read more...] about ‘We had some great results’: Ankeny girls notch 26 pins at Independence tourney

Butterfly state champ Swanepoel, 4 other qualifiers return for Hawk swimmers

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Despite having only five returning state qualifiers, the Ankeny boys' swimming team can rebuild its lineup around one of the state's best swimmers. Senior Lance Swanepoel is the defending state champion in the 100 butterfly and a five-time all-American. He led the Hawks to a seventh-place finish at last year's state meet. "Lance made a great jump last … [Read more...] about Butterfly state champ Swanepoel, 4 other qualifiers return for Hawk swimmers

‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season

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The bar has been raised for the Ankeny girls' basketball program. The Hawkettes enjoyed a record-setting season last year under coach Dru McAnelly, posting a 16-7 mark and earning a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. They also reached a Class 5A regional final before dropping a 49-47 decision at second-ranked Des Moines Roosevelt. Now, the Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season

Centennial is 3rd, Ankeny 9th in Class 5A girls’ basketball preseason rankings

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Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top 10 in the Class 5A girls' basketball preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars, who open their season on Friday at Des Moines East, are ranked third. They return three starters from a team that went 20-4 and qualified for the Class 5A state tournament a year … [Read more...] about Centennial is 3rd, Ankeny 9th in Class 5A girls’ basketball preseason rankings

Ankeny’s JV team competes at Ballard; Varsity prepares for trip to Independence

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With four meets in six days, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team elected to give its junior varsity wrestlers some more experience on Thursday. Ankeny coach Dustin Roland sent his junior varsity squad to Ballard for a scramble. Assistant coach Olivia Willers was proud of the team's effort. "Our girls did well. They keep improving," she said. "They're very … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s JV team competes at Ballard; Varsity prepares for trip to Independence

Ankeny catcher Enright commits to Iowa Central, will join Palmer on Tritons’ roster

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Ankeny catcher Reagan Enright has committed to play softball at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Enright joins her teammate Kennedy Palmer, who previously committed to the Tritons. "I liked the coaches at Iowa Central and how welcoming they were!" Enright said. "Also, a goal of mine is to hopefully be able to play at a bigger school after … [Read more...] about Ankeny catcher Enright commits to Iowa Central, will join Palmer on Tritons’ roster

From the 515 to the 319: Ankeny distance standout Hill to run for Northern Iowa

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Senior Levi Hill helped lead the Ankeny boys' cross country team to its best season in two decades. His success with the Hawks has taken him to Cedar Falls. Hill has verbally committed to join the Northern Iowa men's cross country and track and field programs. One of his former Ankeny track teammates, thrower Jacob Baier, is a sophomore on the … [Read more...] about From the 515 to the 319: Ankeny distance standout Hill to run for Northern Iowa

‘The junior college route was right for me’: Ankeny’s Watson chooses Ellsworth

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Ankeny catcher Max Watson could have followed in the footsteps of his brother Mo. Instead, he'll be joining one of his current Ankeny baseball teammates on the junior college level. Watson has verbally committed to play for Ellsworth Community College. Ankeny pitcher Brock Adamson has also committed to the Panthers. "Brock, who is one of my fest … [Read more...] about ‘The junior college route was right for me’: Ankeny’s Watson chooses Ellsworth

A PERFECT DOZEN: 12 Ankeny wrestlers finish with 2-0 marks at CIML Scramble

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In just 24 hours, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team showed a tremendous amount of progress. Ankeny competed in the CIML Scramble on Tuesday at Waukee Northwest and went 33-15 overall as a squad. "That was a great record for us," said Ankeny coach Dustin Roland. "I was very proud of the girls' effort tonight compared to (Monday) at Dallas Center-Grimes. … [Read more...] about A PERFECT DOZEN: 12 Ankeny wrestlers finish with 2-0 marks at CIML Scramble

Ankeny’s Rusher commits to Creighton, cites ‘unparalleled opportunities’

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Abby Rusher is the latest Ankeny softball player to make a verbal commitment. The junior pitcher announced on Twitter Tuesday that she has decided to play for Creighton. "I am so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Creighton University," Rusher tweeted. "I am so thankful for my family and teammates that … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rusher commits to Creighton, cites ‘unparalleled opportunities’

Six players from Ankeny earn all-state volleyball honors, led by ACA trio

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Six players from Ankeny's three schools earned all-state volleyball honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, while four others received honorable mention. State champion Ankeny Christian Academy led the way with three all-state honorees in Class 1A. Outside hitter Carley Craighead and setter Katie Quick were both named to the first team, while … [Read more...] about Six players from Ankeny earn all-state volleyball honors, led by ACA trio

‘We wanted to be a part of history’: Ankeny competes in state’s 1st team dual

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Dustin Roland isn't too concerned about the losses that his Ankeny girls' wrestling team suffered on Monday night. Just being a part of an historic event was all that mattered to the squad's coach. Ankeny opened its inaugural season as a varsity program with a 48-27 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes. The team then dropped a 60-24 decision to Waverly-Shell … [Read more...] about ‘We wanted to be a part of history’: Ankeny competes in state’s 1st team dual